Голодные игры

           IpokeRueinthebelly,justlikeIwouldPrim."Eatit!"Shegiggles."Don’tworry,I’llthinkofsomething.Destroyingthingsismucheasierthanmakingthem."

           Forawhile,wedigroots,wegatherberriesandgreens,wedeviseastrategyinhushedvoices.AndIcometoknowRue,theoldestofsixkids,fiercelyprotectiveofhersiblings,whogivesherrationstotheyoungerones,whoforagesinthemeadowsinadistrictwherethePeacekeepersarefarlessobligingthanours.Rue,whowhenyouaskherwhatshelovesmostintheworld,replies,ofallthings,"Music."

           "Music?"Isay.Inourworld,Irankmusicsomewherebetweenhairribbonsandrainbowsintermsofusefulness.Atleastarainbowgivesyouatipabouttheweather."Youhavealotoftimeforthat?"

           "Wesingathome.Atwork,too.That’swhyIloveyourpin,"shesays,pointingtothemockingjaythatI’veagainforgottenabout.

           "Youhavemockingjays?"Iask.

           "Oh,yes.Ihaveafewthataremyspecialfriends.Wecansingbackandforthforhours.Theycarrymessagesforme,"shesays.

           "Whatdoyoumean?"Isay.

           "I’musuallyuphighest,soI’mthefirsttoseetheflagthatsignalsquittingtime.There’saspeciallittlesongIdo,"saysRue.Sheopenshermouthandsingsalittlefour-noteruninasweet,clearvoice."Andthemockingjaysspreaditaroundtheorchard.That’showeveryoneknowstoknockoff,"shecontinues."Theycanbedangerousthough,ifyougettooneartheirnests.Butyoucan’tblamethemforthat."

           Iunclaspthepinandholditouttoher."Here,youtakeit.